Woo set for China screen battle

[summertime]

Woo set for China screen battle

Min Lee

Wednesday, August 30, 2006


Director John Woo says he hopes his upcoming film set in ancient China, Battle of Red Cliff, will prove that Chinese can produce Hollywood-style blockbusters.
"Chinese film has made great strides in technical skill, creativity and many areas. I want to prove that we can make a Hollywood-style big production in China, to allow our technical talent to show their skills in all areas," said Woo at a cooperation signing ceremony with the state-run China Film Group in Beijing.

Footage of Monday's ceremony was posted on Sina.com Tuesday.

China has gradually deregulated its film industry in recent years as its moviegoing audience grows, allowing private companies, instead of state-run movie studios to shoot films. Production budgets have risen. Famed director Chen Kaige's mythology The Promise cost US$35 million (HK$273 million).

Woo's business partner Terence Chang said in April he hopes to keep the budget of Battle of Red Cliff under US$50 million.

Woo also said Monday he wants to use the film to educate foreign audiences about Chinese culture.

"As a Chinese who has worked abroad for so many years ... I want to use a different angle to deepen foreigners' understanding of the Chinese people," he said.

Woo made his name in Hong Kong with films like A Better Tomorrow before moving on to Hollywood, where his credits include Broken Arrow, Face/ Off and Mission: Impossible II.

The Battle of Red Cliff is a key war in 208 that determined the geography of the "Three Kingdoms" period, when China had three separate rulers.

"I think this battle can best reflect how wise and united Chinese people are," Woo said.

Producer Chang said earlier the Chinese government views Battle of Red Cliff as a showcase for Chinese history and wants it to be released in the leadup to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Woo said confirmed cast members of Battle of Red Cliff include Chow Yun-fat, Cannes winner Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Taiwanese model Lin Chi-ling. Chang said in April shooting is due to start in March in northern Hebei province.

Woo said Tim Yip, an Oscar winner for his work on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon will design the production and famed Chinese cinematographer Gu Changwei, a frequent collaborator with Chinese directors Chen and Zhang Yimou, will helm the camera.

He said he plans to choose US companies to handle special effects.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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